whoever said saying goodbye is never easy, was wrong, just plain wrong. saying goodbye is the easiest part. it's the walking away, the stomach-crushing feeling, and the realization that the next long series of moments will not contain any of these beautiful places, feelings and familiar faces. *bursts into 2-year old-tantrum*
Bismark riding in the distance down the Sandema red road
my bags had been crammed. tears were in my eyes. farewells had been sung. the ending of my journey had begun...
so i stayed and played a few extra days. when the going gets tough, the weak of heart meander around until the last possible second. reliving it all for the first time, and snapping as many photos as those little boys' fingers could take.
it's hard to think of home when this place has become a haven. though as i age i am realizing that perceptions of home are based on the ability to adapt. chameleons don't say goodbye, just hello to new colours...and they always look fresh, like they belong. through tired eyes, i am trying to look forward to donning new stripes. but i will never forget my sandema spots.
with friends' lives exploding at me on facebook, my iPhone ringing out of control, twittering birds and e-mails piling up daily, keeping in touch has become too easy in one of my worlds. but i know the egg and bread lady who greets me in Buli, the old man who makes the smocks at the market and the tiny babies i carried on my back, will be close to me only by keeping the memories of this wonderful summer within reach. i know life will continue here peacefully without me. i also know, somehow, someway, i will move along with it. from here to there, and everywhere, my feet will one day return and with every step i will find a home, somewhere.
and you never know who will accompany you on your next path. Rafik, a dear, intelligent and funny friend, like the famous Rafiki, came all the way from Tamale to see me off from Sandema. and i am lucky enough to have two HCC boys, Jacob and Christopher, at my sides as i take-off south to accra and then re-visit another home, in the village of Wlitodzi, before away i finally fly...
"dream big like oceans. and we will meet each other" -Yaw
